Oregon Lottery marks 40 years of impact on state’s economy ‘without raising taxes’

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Forty years ago, the Oregon Lottery began selling its first game. It was a scratch-it called “Pot of Gold” that debuted on April 25, 1985.

A few months later, Oregon Megabucks started as the first computer-operated lottery game in the state. And three years after that, in 1988, Oregon was one of seven states to launch Lotto America, which is now known as Powerball.

Fast forward to 1992: Oregon saw the introduction of video poker slot machines in bars and taverns. Then in 2006, Oregon Lottery sales topped $1 billion for the first time.

Today, 40 years and many games later, the lottery is a major source of revenue for the state, having provided more than $16 billion for education, economic development, and other projects.

Matt Shelby, the senior manager of communications and policy for the Oregon Lottery, joined Eye on Northwest Politics to discuss four decades of impact.

Oregon voters said yes to the lottery in 1984 during a tough economic time for the state. Since then, the lottery has helped boost Oregon’s economy.

“We started in 1985 because voters wanted to raise money for economic development without having to raise taxes,” Shelby said. “So we were kind of a means to an end from the very beginning. Since then, voters have added…many games but also other beneficiaries that we’re funding.”

Watch the full interview in the video player above.